Winding machine



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Nov. 8, 1960 J. sADoRF WINDING MACHINE Filed Aug. l, 1955 J. SADORF WINDING MACHINE Nov. 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 1, 1955 2,959,372 Patented Nov. 8 1960 wrNmNG MACHINE John Sadorf, Chicago, Ill.,.assignor to Geo. Stevens Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 1, 1955, Ser. No. 525,627

Claims. (Cl. 242-l58.4)

'I-his invention relates to coil winding apparatus and particularly to apparatus for guiding wire from a `source to the coil being wound.

The improvement of the present invention is particularly useful in winding coils wherein the form or support upon which the coil is wound is rotated about a stationary axis while the coil wire is wound thereon. The wire to form the coil is fed from a suitable source thereof across a guide member mounted upon a movable carriage or support -commonly called a creeper. In starting the winding of a coil, one end of the wire is fed across the guide on the Creeper and is aixed to a portion of the form upon which the coil is to be wound. The form is'then rotated about its axis to wind wire thereon. The Creeper is interconnected with the turning of the form so that the Creeper moves along the axis of the form to space the wire coils thereon in a predetermined position and relationship. After a predetermined number of turns of wire have been Wound upon the form, the manner of winding is changed, such for example as by reversing the direction of movement of the Creeper so that a second layer of wire is coiled upon the rst. Instead of reversing the direction of the Creeper, the Creeper may be stopped because the total number of turns of wire required have been wou-nd upon the form. In the latter Case it is desirable to break the wire, remove the wound coil including its form from the support therefor, and place a new form upon the winding support. Next the free end of the wire coming from the Creeper is attached to the form. In many instances the Creeper is not aligned with the end of the form which the new coil is to begin and in such cases the position of the Creeper must be Changed.

The apparatus of the present invention has particular applicability to winding machines in which the Creeper is driven by a threaded rod or worm cooperating with a driven member mounted on the Creeper. In such drive mechanism heretofore, it has been customary to utilize a separable nut as the driven member on the Creeper. After finishing one coil and before beginning the next coil, it is often necessary to move the Creeper with respect to the worm as has been described above. With the arrangements utilized heretofore, it has not always been possible to obtain intermeshing between the worm and the driven member when the Creeper is returned to the starting position for the next coil. This has necessitated laborious manual turning of the worm until it .is in a position to mesh with the driven member on the Creeper. This method is time consuming and therefore costly. In many instances the time required to realign the worm and the driven member on the Creeper has constituted a substantial portion of the actual coil winding time and in Certain instances equalled or exceeded the actual time needed to wind the Coil upon its form.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved coil winding mechanism and particularly an improved Creeper for the coil winding mechanism.

More specifically, it is an object of therpresent invention to provide an improved Creeper to be used 'on coil winding machines of the type set forth, the position of the coil winding mechanism with respect to the 'drive therefor being quickly and easily adjustable.

Another object of the invention is to provide animproved Creeper for Vuse in coil winding machines of the type set forth which can "be quickly and lreadily v'set Iin `driving connection with the drive therefor'i :any desired position of the Creeper with respect'to its drive.

Still another object of the invention is to` provide Ia Creeper for coil winding machines of the'type' set forth which can be readily disengagedl from and reengaged with `the drive mechanism therefor.

A further object-of the invention is to provide a' Creeper for Coil winding machines of the type set forth including electrical means -to provide ready engagement and disengagement with the drive mechanism for the Creeper.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accom- .panying drawings. In the 'drawings wherein like reference numerals have been utilized todesignate 'like parts throughout:

Figure l is a plan view 'with certain parts broken away of the improved Coil winding mechanism of` the present invention incorporating the improved Creeper therein;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view inA vertical section through a portion of the drive mechanism for the Winding machine of Figure v1 substa-nti-ally as seenjin the direction of Vthe arrows along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in vertical section through another portion of the drive mechanism of the coil machine as seen in Figure l substantially 'as `seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 3-3 of Figure l; v

Figure 4 is a partial, enlarged view in Vertical section through the Creeper of the present invention and the associated worm drive therefor substantially as seenj in the direction of the arrows along the line -4-4 Iof. Figure l;

vFigure 5 is a schematic electrical diagraml of the control circuits for the coil winding machine of 'Figure l;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view with certain parts broken away of the coil winding machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view showingra modification of the Creeper return mechanism; and

Figure `8 is a schematic electrical diagram ofthe control circuit for the' Creeper return illustrated in Figure7.

Referring to Figures l and 6 of the drawingsythere is shown therein a Coil winding machine .generally designated by the numeral 10 made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention. Machine 10 includes a head frame 12 and a tail'frame 14 which are interconnected by three rods 16, 1'8 and 20 to form the co-mplete frame for machine 10.

Frame 12 has mounted thereon a drivev motor 22j-the output of which' drives a belt 24 connected to a main drive shaft 26 which is journaled in frame 12 and isspported therein by ball bearing assemblies 28. A"`ma'g netic brake 30 is also mounted upon frame 12 and is positionedabout shaft 26 to provide means for stopping, shaft 26 at any desired position thereof. Main 'sha-ft 26 has one end 32 thereof extending outwardly toward 'frame member 14 to provide one support for a winding form 34 upon which a coil is to be wound. The otherendof form 34 is supported by a live center 36 supported byfa tailstock 38. The tailstock is preferably of theitypefwhich is spring loaded and is operable by a handle 40.v The'- various portions of the tailstock zare mounted Vupon ai 3 base 42 which is adjustably received upon therods 16 and 18 for adjustable movement therealong in the usual manner. By this construction form 34 is driven at the left hand thereof as viewed in Figures l and 6 by shaft portion 32 while the other end is supported by the tailstock 38. Y

Drive for the creeper. which is generally designated by the numeral 44, is derived from the main shaft 26 which includes a worm 46 intermediate the ends thereof within head frame 12. Worm 46 engages a worm gear 48 (see Figure 6, particularly) mounted upon a shaft 50 journaled in frame 12. Shaft 50 also carries a gear 52 meshing with a gear 54 meshing in turn with a gear 56 mounted upon a shaft 58. Gears 52, 54 and 56 are changeable whereby to achieve different drive ratios to obtain different relationships between the speed of rotation of the main shaft 26 and the longitudinal rate of travel of creeper 44. Shaft 58 carries on the inner end thereof a miter gear 60 meshing with a second miter gear 62 fixedly mounted upon a rotating shaft l64. The `other end of shaft 64 carries a reversing driving Vge'ar V66 (see Figure 3 also) which meshes with a reverse drive gear 68. Gear 68 is supported by a split shaft bushing 70 carried by the main output shaft 72. Normally gear -68 and bushing 70 are free to rotate upon output shaft 72. Driving interconnection can be made between gear 68 and output shaft 72 by a magnetic clutch 74. Accordingly, when it is desired to drive output shaft 72 in a reverse direction, magnetic clutch 74 is energized whereby to cause the creeper 44 to move from right to left as viewed in Figures l and 2.

Forward motion is imparted to the creeper 44 by reversing the direction of movement of the output shaft 72. To this end gear 66 also meshes with an idler gear 76 mounted upon an idler shaft 78. It is to be noted that idler gear 76 does not mesh with reversing gear 68. The other end of idler shaft 78 carries a second idler gear 80 which is affixed thereto and meshes with a forward drive gear 82 (see Figure 2 also). Gear 82 is also mounted upon a split shaft bushing 84 supported by the main output shaft 72. Gear 82 and bushing 84 normally are free to rotate about output shaft 72. When it is desired to drive the output shaft 72 in the forward direction, a magnetic clutch 86 is energized which serves to interconnect forward drive gear 82 and the output shaft 72. Accord- 'ingly, output shaft 72 can be driven in either the forward or reverse direction depending upon whether the reverse magnetic clutch 74 0r the forward magnetic clutch 86 is energized. When the forward clutch 86 is energized, the creeper 44 moves from left to right as viewed in Figures l and 6 or from the head to the tail of the machine.

The output shaft 72 is coupled to a traverse worm 88 by a coupling 90. One end of worm 88 is supported by coupling 90 and the other is received in a ball bearing assembly 92 mounted in the tail frame 14. A substantial length of traverse worm 88 is threaded as may be best seen in Figures l and 6. The threads on traverse worm 88 are adapted to engage and cooperate with gear teeth formed on a worm gear 94 mounted within creeper 44 (see Figure 4).

Referring now particularly to Figure 4, the construction and operation of the creeper 44 will be described in detail. Creeper 44 has the working parts thereof supported on and enclosed by a pair of housings generally designated by the numerals 96 and 98. Housing 96 will hereafter be referred to as the rear housing and has a forward substantially vertical wall 100 and a rear curved Wall 102. A pair of side walls 104 close the ends of rear housing 96 and positioned within said walls 104 are apertures which carry bushings 106. Bushings 106 are preferably formed of bronze or some other good bear- 4 fear housing 96 and attached parts in a slidable and ro'- tatable manner.

Front housing 98 is secured to rear housing 96 by a plurality of bolts 108. Housing 98 includes a forward wall 110 which in cooperation with forward wall 100 of housing 96 supports a shaft 112 upon which the worm gear 94 is mounted. More specifically, each end of shaft 112 has a portion of reduced diameter received within a bearing bushing mounted in the respective walls. More particularly the rear end of shaft 112 has a reduced portion 114 received within a bushing 116 supported in wall 100. The forward end of shaft 112 has a reduced portion 118 received and rotatably supported by a bushing 120 mounted in forward wall 110. Gear 94 is fixedly attached to shaft 112 by means of set screw 122 extending through an aperture in a collar 124 integral with gear 94.

From the above description it will be seen that when shaft 112 and attached gear 94 are free to rotate, no driving force will be transmitted from the traverse worin 88 to the creeper 44. This results from the fact that rotation of worm 88 simply turns gear 94 and the att'ac'he'd shaft 112 about the axis of shaft 112 within the housing for creeper 44. If rotation of gear 94 and shaft 112 with respect to the creeper housing is stopped, then traverse Worm 88 will drive gear 94 along the axis of traverse worm 88 and consequently will drive the creeper 44 in a like manner along rod 20.

`In order to provide a control for permitting or stopping rotation of gear 94 and its shaft 112 at any predetermined time, a brake generally designated by the numeral 1.26 has been provided within creeper 44. Brake 126 1ncludes a brake disk 128 which is splined on a collar 130 xedly attached to shaft 112 by means of a set screw 13 2. As a result of this connection, plate 128 can move a d1s- 'tance longitudinally of shaft 112 but there can beno relative rotation therebetween. A suitable brake facing material 134 is aixed to plate 128 in any suitable means such as by rivets 136.

Brake facing 134 is adapted to act against a second brake facing 138 carried by a collar 140. Collar 140 is rotatably mounted upon shaft 112 and is free to rotate with respect thereto and is free to move longitudinally thereof.

Means is provided to stop rotation of collar 140 about shaft 112 and to draw plate 128 toward the collar 140 whereby to draw brake faces 134 and 138 into braking relationship thereby stopping rotation of shaft 112 within housing members 96--98. To this end an electromagnetic coil 142 has been provided within creeper 44, the shape of coil 142 being substantially circular with an 'aperture therein through which is received a cylindrical core piece 144. Core piece 144 is received in a circular aperture in another core piece 146 which is mounted against wall 100 of housing member 96. A cylindrical member 148 also is provided to surround coil 142 and confine the electromagnetic field thereof. The left hand end of core 144 is received in an annular recess 150 formed in collar 140 and member 148 tits over the outside of collar 140.

Plate 128, collar 140 and members 144- 146 and 148 are all formed of magnetic materials so that these parts are drawn toward each other by electromagnetic forces when coil 142 is energized. More specifically, energization of coil 142 sets up a strong electromagnetic field which attracts collar 140 into engagement with member 148 whereby to cause collar 140 to slide to the right as viewed in Figure 4 along shaft 112 and into abutting and non-rotating engagement with member 148 which is held stationary with respect to housing members 96-98 of creeper 44. The same electromagnetic forces also draw the plate 128 toward collar 140 thereby driving the brak' ingV surfaces 134 and 138 into braking relationship. Movementof plate 128 is made possible by the splined connection with collar 130. With the braking surfaces 134 and 138 h eld firmly together, rotation of plate 128 with asse-.372

'respect to the housing members of Creeper 44is stopped. The spline connection between plate 1278 and collar 130 stop rotation of collar 130. Since collar 130 is xedly attached to shaft 112 as is gear 94, rotation of gear 94 and shaft 112 with respect to the housing of Creeper 44 is stopped.

From the above description it will be seen that driving connection whereby to move Creeper 44 along traverse worm 88 can be made by energizing coil 142 thereby stopping rotation of gear 94 with respect to the housing of'creeper 44. Conversely movement of the Creeper 44 along traverse worm 88 can be stopped by deenergizing coil 142. This releases gear 94 whereby to permit it and its shaft 112 to rotate with respect to the housing of Creeper 44. Furthermore, disengagement between traverse worm 88 and worrn'gear 94 can be effected by lifting the left hand end of Creeper 44 as illustrated in Figure 4, and rotating the Creeper about support rod to the position shown in dashedlines.

Creeper housing 98 carries on its forward or left hand edge as viewed in Figure 4, a pair of ears 152 which rotatably support therebetween a shaft 154. Fixedly attached to shaft 154 is an arm 156 which rotatably carries a roller 158 having a wire guiding groove 160 formed therein. A wire 162 from a suitable source (not shown) is fed under roller 158 and onto the coil being wound about form 34. The point at which the wire 162 is fed upon the coil being wound is determined by the position of roller 158 which in turn is determined by the position of Creeper 44. It is for this reason that Creeper 44 is moved longitudinally with respect to traverse worm 88 and form 34.

When winding coils having several superimposed turns thereon, it is desirable that Creeper 44 have its direction of movement along traverse worm 88 automatically reversed at each end of form 34. To this end a pair of limit switches 164 and 166 have been provided. Limit switch 164 is positioned toward the head of the winding machine and accordingly is referred to as the head limit switch. A bracket 168 is adjustably mounted upon support rod 28 and holds switch 164 in the path @of movement of Creeper 44. An actuator 170 on switch 164 cooperates with a tinger 172 fixedly mounted on Creeper 44 so that switch 164 is actuated at a predetermined point of movement of Creeper 44 toward the head of the machine or to the left as viewed in Figure 1. In the event of failure of any of the operating parts. an adiustabie Dositive stop 174 is also carried on bracket 168 whereby to provide means positively to stop Creeper 44 in emergencies.

Switch 166 is positioned to control the point of reversal of Creeper 44 at the tail end of the machine. This switch is similarly mounted on a bracket 176, bracket 176 being carried by and adjustably positioned on support rod 20. An actuator 178 is provided on switch 166 and cooperates with a nger 181i carried by Creeper 44. A positive tail stop 182 similar in construction and function to stop 174 is provided on bracket 176 positively to limit movement of Creeper 44 toward the right hand or tail end of the machine as viewed in Figure 1.

Means is provided to count in an accu-rate manner the turns of wire wound upon form 34. To this end a counter 184 is provided which is preferably automatic in operation and can be instantly reset by depressing a lever 186. The total number of turns wound appear directly upon dials 188 facing the operator. Counter 184 is mounted upon the head frame and the input shaft to counter 184-v is provided with a pulley 190. Pulley 190 is driven by a belt 192 which in turn is driven by a pulley 194 on the main shaft 26. In this manner the number of turns of form 34 and, accordingly, the number of turns of wire wound thereon are automatically counted and recorded upon counter 184. At the end of a coil winding operation, the counter 184 is reset to zero by depressing lever 186 and the winding machine is then ready to initiate a windingoperation. Preferably a switch is also actuated bycounter 184 at a predetermined point automatically to interrupt and stop the Coil winding operation kas will be explained more fully later.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown schematically the electrical interconnections and certain mechanical interconnections between the Various parts which permit substantially automatic operation of the winding machine. Power for operating and controlling the machine is derived from a conventional volt A.C. supply through a master switch 196. When the master switch is closed, the full operating voltage appears on a pair of main lines 198 and 280 within the machine. Connected between lines 198 and 200 is a neon indicator light 282 which remains lit as long as switch 196 is closed. Also connected between lines 198 and 200 is a first rectier circuit 204 which has one of the inputs connected to line 198 through a fuse 286 and the other input connected to line 280 through a fuse 208.y One of the outputs from rectiiier 204 appears on line 210 and the other on line 212. Connected to line 210 is the coil 214 for the reverse -Clutch 74 and a coil 216 for the forward clutch `86. Output line 212 of rectifier 284 is connected through a line 218 to a movable contact 22@ which in one position interconnects with coil 216 and in the other position interconnects with coily 214 whereby to energize the connected clutch coil and actuate the associated clutch mechanism.

Mechanically attached to but electrically insulated from movable Contact 228 is a second movable Contact 222 which is electrically connected through a line 224 to one side 198 of the supply. Line 224 is also connected to one side of the limit switch 164 and the other sideY of the limit switch 164 is connected to a reverse control coil 226, The other side of the reverse control coil 226 is connected through limit switch 166 to line 288 when switch 166 is closed.

The motor 22 is connected across the main supply line through a motor speed rheostat 228, a push-button switch 231i and the counter control switch 232. WhenY the counter is set to zero, the movable arm 234 of switch 232 is inthe upper position whereby to connect line 198 through rheostat 228 to motor 22. Closure of pushbutton switch 238 completes the circuit to the other side 288 of the main line.

Switch 238 is of the type which is closed when held in the closed position but which automatically opens,

when released. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a holding circuit around switch 231). To this end a coil 236 is connected at one end adjacent rheostat 228, and at the other end to one side of motor 22 as at point 238. A movable core 240 is associated with coil 236 and carries a movable contact 242 which in the energized position contacts point 244 which is connected to line 2118. Closure of switch 230 even for an instant ener-` gizes coil 246 moving switch Contact 242 against contact 244 and completes a circuit from point 238 through a line 246 to line 281). By this arrangement push-button 238 need not be held closed in order to obtain continued operation of motor 22.

After a predetermined number of turns have been wound upon form 34, it is desirable to stop the main shaft 26 whereby to stop rotation of form 34. To this end the counter switch 232 is constructed so that the movable arm 234 of switch 232 moves to the lower position after the desired number of turns have been recorded upon counter 184. With Contact 234 in the lower position, a circuit is completed through a fuse 248, a rectifier power supply 251i and a second fuse 252 to line 288. rIhe output of the rectifier power supply 2513 is applied lto a coil 254 which is the coil in the main shaft brake 38. IWhen coil 254 is energized, brake 30'is;

actuated whereby immediately to stop.rotation of shaft;-

36 and form 34. A brake timing rheostat 256 is in series with coil 254 to provide means for adjusting the' time of application of the brake. A capacitor 258 is provided across coil 254 to give the desired operation of coil 254 and the associated brake 30.

i From the last described mechanism, it will be seen that switch 232 automatically disconnects motor 22 and energizes brake 30 through coil 254.

The power for energizing the brake 126 within creeper 44 is derived from the rectifier 204. More specifically, line 212 connected to one of the outputs of the rectifier 204 is also connected through a line 260 to a control switch 262 in series with the coil 142 in the brake 126. The other side of the coil is connected by a line 264 to the other side of the rectifier 204. Switch 262 is a manual control switch positioned on the side of the creeper (see Figures 1 and 6) which controls the energization of coil142. It can be seen from Figure that when switch 262 is closed, coil 142 is energized. Energization of coil 142 stops rotation of gear 94 with respect to the creeper housing and thereby permits traverse worm 88 to drive the creeper 44 in parallelism with the form 34 upon which the new coil is being wound. Conversely when switch 262 is open, coil 142 is deenergized permitting worm gear 94 to rotate with respect to the creeper housing. As a result traverse worm 88 will no longer drive creeper 44 along support rod 20.

A full cycle of operation of the coil winding machine will now be described. At the beginning of a coil winding cycle, the head limit switch 164 is closed by contact of finger 172 with actuator 170. Switch 164 is a normally open micro-switch but at the beginning of a Winding cycle the creeper 44 is positioned to the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 6 whereby to close switch 164. The tail stop switch 166 is a normally closed micro-switch and accordingly at the end of a winding traverse, this switch can be opened by contact of finger 180 with actuator 178. Similarly at the beginning of a winding cycle the counterswitch 232 has the movable contact 234 in the upper position. The machine is now in condition to begin a winding operation.

The free end of the wire 162 is fed under roller 158 and attached to the left hand end of form 34. Main switch `196 is then closed to light pilot light 204 and set the circuits in condition for operation. Closure of main switch 196 completes the circuit to rectifier 204. Simultaneously a circuit is completed through line 224, closed Switch 164, coil 226 and normally closed switch 166. This energizes coil 226 whereby to move the movable contacts 220 and 222 associated therewith to the lowermost position. This applies energizing current to coil 216 of the forward clutch 86 from the rectifier supply 204. Simultaneously a holding circuit is formed by contact 222 about switch 164 so that coil 216 will remain energized after the creeper moves out of contact with t1h6e actuator 170 of switch 164 whereby to open switch The neXt operation is to close the push-button switch 230 which establishes a circuit from the main line to motor 22. Simultaneously coil 236 is energized to provide a holding circuit around push-button 230. With motor 22 energized and forward clutch 86 engaged by energizing coil 216, the traverse worm 88 begins to turn and form 34 is turned by main shaft 26. Prior to actuation of push-button 230, switch 262 is closed so that desired operation of creeper 44 is obtained immediately. This results from the fact that energization of coil 142 prevents rotation of worm gear 94 with respect to the creeper 44 and thereby establishes a driving contact with traverse worm 88.

Creeper 44 proceeds from left to right as viewed in Figures 1 and 6 until finger 180 contacts actuator 178 whereby to open switch 166. Opening of switch 166 deenergizes coil 226 and moves contacts 220 and 222 to the upper position as shown in Figure 5. Movement of switch contact 220 to the upper position deenergizes the forward clutch coil 216 and energizes the reverse clutch coil 2.14. This reverses the direction of operation of traverse worm 8 8 and reverses the direction of travel of creeper 44. The circuit remains in this condition since switch 164 is open and switch contact 222 is in the upper position. With these two switches in these positions, coil 226 cannot be again energized until finger 172 contacts actuator 170 to close switch 164. After creeper 44 has completed the reverse traverse, switch 164 is closed and the cycle of movement of creeper 44 is begun again.

After the predetermined number of turns have been wound upon form 34 as determined by the setting of counter 186, movable contact 234 of switch 232 moves to the lower position. This simultaneously deenergizes motor 22 and applies the brake 30 by energizing brake coil 254. Wire 162 is then broken and the filled form 34 removed from the main shaft 26 by operation of the tailstock 38.

Next a new form 34 is mounted in position. It is now desired to move creeper 44 to the left hand or starting end of form 34. Switch 262 is pushed thereby deenergizing coil 142 and releasing brake 126. This permits the operator then to move the carriage manually to the starting position. Alternatively the creeper 44 can be tilted to the position shown by dashed lines in Figure 4 and moved to the desired position. Switch 262 is then operated to release brake 126 thereby permitting worm gear 144 to mesh with worm 88. The operator then removes his finger from switch 262 which is a normally closed switch and this reengages brake 126 by energizing coil 142. Driving contact has now been reestablished between traverse 88 and worm gear 94. Accordingly, a new winding cycle can be instituted by simply pushing switch 230.

It is sometimes desirable to stop movement of creeper 44 before the end of a normal winding cycle. This may result from the fact that wire 162 breaks or some other unexpected occurrence happens. Movement of creeper 44 in such cases can be stopped either by tilting to the position shown in dashed lines in Figure 4 or by pushing switch 262.

There is shown in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, a modification of a traverse return which utilizes a spring in conjunction with an air dashpot. This form of machine is provided with a traverse worm 270 which is driven only in one direction, namely the forward direction or a direction to drive the creeper from left to right. A creeper generally designated by the numeral 272 is provided and has substantially the same construction as creeper 44 described above. More specifically, creeper 272 is supported by a rod 274 similar in construction and function to rod 20.

In carrying out a winding operation, creeper 272 has the brake therein energized whereby to form a driving connection with worm 270. This moves creeper 272 from left to right as viewed in Figure 7. At the end of the movement to the right, the brake within creeper 272 is deenergized and a spring 290 is used to return creeper 272 in the reverse direction under the control of dashpot 276.

The connection between dashpot 276 and creeper 272 is made by a turnbuckle assembly 278 attached to the piston shaft 280 of the dashpot 276 by a universal connection 282. The other end of turnbuckle assembly 278 is attached by a second universal joint 284 to an arm 286 mounted on creeper 272 by a bolt 288. The spring 290 under tension interconnects dashpot 276 and arm 286 to provide the motive power for return of creeper 272 against the controlling action of dashpot 276. In order to energize and deenergize the brake within creeper 272 at the proper time, a control switch 292 has been provided on the creeper 272. The electrical connections of the switch 292 are shown in Figure 8. A source 0f electrical power 294 has connected thereto in-series fa brake Coil 29'6 for Creeper 272, switch 292 and `a manual control switch 298 similar in function and construction to'control switch 262 described above. More specifically, switch 298. is a normally closed switch which can be manually actuated to release the brake in creeper 272.

When switch 292 is in the closed position and switch 298 is closed, brake coil 296 is energized whereby to connect creeper 272 in a -driving manner to traverse worm 270. If either switch 292 or 298 is opened, then creeper 272 `is`no-t in driving connection with 'traverse worm 270 and is free to be-movedby the action of spring290 acting against dashpot 276.

Automatic operation to move creeper 272 alternately in a forward and reverse direction is achieved by turning switch 292 from the on to the off position and back again alternately. To this end switch 292 is provided with -a handle 360 mounted on and exteriorly of creeper 272. Switch 292 is of the type which stays in the on position or in the off position when placed there by turning handle 360. A-t the beginning of a Winding operation, switch handle 300 is in the counterclockwise position as shown in the drawings whereby to place switch 292 in the connected position. This energizes brake coil 296 to move creeper 272 in the forward direction. At the end of a predetermined amount of travel in the forward direction, switch handle 300 contacts a linger 302 supported on rod 274 which moves handle 300 to turn switch 292 to the clockwise or off position. This disengages creeper 272 from traverse worm 270 and permits the creeper 272 to be returned to the left under the action of spring 292 against the Control of dashpot 276. When creeper 272 reaches the extreme left hand position, a second finger 304 contacts switch arm 300 to turn switch 292 to the Lon position. This reengages creeper 272 with traverse worm 270 to move creeper 272 to the right or in the forward direction.

Positive stops 306 and 308 -are also provided and perform the same function as positive stops 174 and 182 described above. Switch 298 is operative to permit positioning of creeper 272 at any position along traverse worm 270 and secure meshing therewith in the same manner described above with respect to switch 262. It is to be noted that switch 298 in this form of the invention is mounted on the stationary head frame.

It will be seen that there has been provided a coil winding mechanism including an improved creeper and automatic controls therefor which perform all of the objects and advantages set forth above. Although two preferred embodiments of the invention have been given for purposes of illustration, it is to -be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A coil winding machine comprising a `rotating support for supporting and rotating -a form to wind a coil thereon, a creeper guide rod mounted adjacent to said form support and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, a creeper pivotally and slidably mounted upon said creeper guide rod for movement along and for pivoting on said guide rod, a wire guide mounted on said creeper to guide wire to a form on said form support, a threaded drive shaft extending generally parallel to said creeper guide rod, a gear rotatably mounted on said Creeper in position for intermeshing with said threaded shaft, means carried by the creeper and operable selectively to hold said gear against rotation whereby to cause driving of said creeper along said creeper guide rod by said threaded shaft and to release said gear for rotation whereby said creeper may be stopped and moved longitudinally of the shaft with the gear in mesh with said shaft, said Creeper being pivotal on said guide rod to disengage said gear from said threaded shaft whereby said creeper genas/ra 10 may-be -rnoved along 'said guideA rod independently of said threaded-shaft.

2. A coil winding machine comprising a rotating support adapted to support and rotate a form to wind avc/oilV thereon, a creeper mounted to move longitudinally of the` axis of rotation of said form support, guide means on said creeper to guide wire to a form on said support, a threaded shaft extending longitudinally of said axis of said form support, ;electrically' actuated drive means for said shaft, a gear rotatably mounted on said creeper in position to engage said threaded shaft, electrically actuated means for holding said gear-againsty rotation, and -a circuit including said drive-means and said-holding means and electrical control means for simultaneously energizing said drive means and the gear holding means to eect movement of said creeper longitudinally of the axis of said form support, said circuit also including a second independently operable electrical control means carried by the creeper for rendering said gear holding means inclfective to hold the gear against rotation so as to stop the creeper at any position longitudinally of the form and permit movement of the Creeper to any desired position during driving of said shaft.

3. A coil winding machine comprising a rotating support adapted to support and rotate a form to wind a coil thereon, a creeper mounted to move longitudinally of the axis of rotation of said form support, guide means on said creeper to guide wire to a form when on saidr support, a threaded shift extending longitudinally of said axis of said form support, electrically operable drive means for said shaft, a gear rotatably mounted on said creeper in position to engage said threaded shaft, an electrically operable brake for holding said gear against rotation, electrical control means for energizing said electrically oper-able drive means and said electrically operable brake to move the creeper longitudinally of the axis of said form support, and means carried by the creeper for de-energizing said brake during driving of said shaft on grasping of the creeper at any desired position longitudinally of the axis of said form support to permit the creeper to be held and moved manually in and to any position longitudinally of the form when on said form support and independently of the driving of said shaft.

4. A coil winding machine comprising a rotating support for supporting and rotating a form to wind a coil thereon, a creeper mounted to move longitudinally of the form on said form support, guide means on said creeper to guide wire to a form on said support, a threaded shaft extending longitudinally of ya form on Said form support, electric motor drive means for said shaft, a gear rotatably mounted on said creeper in position to engage said threaded shaft, an electric brake for holding said gear against rotation, electrical Control means for energizing said electric motor drive means and said electric brake, said electrical control means including switch means for simultaneously energizing said electrical motor drive means and said electric brake to drive said creeper longitudinally of a form on the form support and for simultaneously de-energizing said electric motor drive means and said electric brake to permit a resetting movement of the creeper along the shaft to any desired position longitudinally of the form on the form support when the threaded shaft is stationary.

5. A coil winding machiney comprising a rotating support for supporting and rotating a form to wind Ia coil thereon, a creeper guide rod mounted adjacent to said form support and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, a Creeper pivotally and slidably mounted upon said guide rod for movement along and for pivoting on said guide rod, a wire guide mounted on said creeper to guide wire to a form on said form support, electro-V mechanical drive means including a threaded drive shaft, a gear rotatably mounted on said creeper in position for intermeshing with said threaded shaft, electrically oper.. able gear locking means carried by the creeper and normally operable upon energization of said drive means to hold said gear against rotation to drive said creeper to and fro along said guide rod, and manually operable switch means carried by the creeper for de-energizing said electrically operable gear locking means independently of said drive means at any point of the movement of the creeper along said guide rod.

Ball Feb. 18, 1879 Underhill May 24, 1913 12 Terrence Ian. 31, 1939 Haynes Feb. 22, 1949 Nelson et a1 July 4, 1950 Bancroft Nov. 28, 1950 Karlsson Jan. 1, 1952 Ryan Feb. 19, 1952 La Cesa Sept. 2, 1952 Harris June 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Sept. 1, 1945 France Apr. 13, 1921 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATIN OF CORRECTION Patent Nef., 2,959,372 November 8, 196 Joh Sadorf It ie bereby Certified tbet errer appears in tbe above numbered petent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column lO, line 29, for "shift" read shaft, column ll,

line l2, list of references cited under UNITED STATES PATENTS, for "2,140,924" read 1,140,924 Column l2, line 8, vlist'I of references cited, under UNITED STATES PATENTS, for "June l3, 1953" read June 23, 1953 "-9 Signed and sealed this 9th day of May 1961o (SEAL) Attest:-

ERNEST w, swIDEE DAVID L". LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of PatentsY 

